LyondellBasell to build world’s largest PO, TBA plant in Texas

HOUSTON, US / LONDON, UK: LyondellBasell industries NV said it plans to build the world’s largest propylene oxide (PO) and tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) plant in the Houston area. This project, considered to be the largest of its kind, is expected to create up to 2,500 construction jobs and approximately 100 permanent positions.

LyondellBasell first announced the PO, TBA project in August 2014. Annual production capacities are anticipated to be one billion pounds of propylene oxide and two billion pounds of tertiary butyl alcohol.

The company’s complex located in Channelview, Texas is selected as the site for the PO/TBA unit. The Bayport Choate site near Pasadena is selected for an ethers unit which will produce oxy-fuels for high octane gasoline. A split facility design between the Channelview and Bayport sites will optimize the product balances between the sites and create additional synergies.

“We are moving forward in a deliberate fashion to develop what could become the single largest capital investment in LyondellBasell’s history,” said Bob Patel, CEO, LyondellBasell. “We continue to believe that the combination of low-cost natural gas liquids available on the US Gulf Coast, along with our leading proprietary PO/TBA technology, will allow this proposed project to capture maximum advantage of market opportunities.”